To address my colleague Mr. Masse's concern, which is reasonable, I'll direct the committee's attention to an article in La Presse that was published yesterday. It's an article specifically on this issue. With great apologies to my colleagues from Quebec, I won't make you listen to my anglicized French. Thanks, Dad.
This is my best translation into English: “I deplore the fact that the opposition parties, for over a year, have done everything possible to slow the legislative process. However, now I think we have to put partisanship aside and think about the interests of our innovators, businesses and citizens,” said François-Philippe Champagne in a press scrum on the sidelines of an event at the Montreal Council on Foreign Relations on Wednesday afternoon.
To alleviate my colleague's concern, this is something that has now been reported by one of the biggest media outlets in Quebec. I mean, we have the parliamentary secretary, any time we move a motion, saying, “Oh, well, colleagues can just use their time when the minister comes for an hour to address these concerns.” Then he's out there casting aspersions on the work happening in this committee. When he's quoted as saying, “Now...we have to put partisanship aside,” I don't think.... Well, he shouldn't have taken a partisan dig at the work of this committee if he wants it to be productive. I think that was unfortunate.
I support my colleague's motion.
Thank you.